With our efforts to create a nice future for ourselves, we chose San Francisco City Hall because it is extremely beautiful for the price you pay. Beats Vegas! In truth, we had both agreed upon establishing a financial future for ourselves in which we’d own a home in San Francisco within the next few years. Definitely a big task at hand. A large wedding ceremony would have set us back from this ultimate goal. Our shared vision helped to create a firm budget for the wedding celebration.

We were lucky in discovering Regalito Rosticeria, a gem in cuisine and location. Regalito was a perfect fit for our personality and style. (Plus, there are two statues in the back of the restaurant… a Virgin Mary and Buddha. When we saw them, we thought, that’s us!) We sought out a restaurant that served homestyle Mexican cuisine, and we paid close attention to the seating arrangement to give our guests a chance to mix and mingle comfortably.

Thanksgiving gatherings and the sense of feeling at home is what inspired us throughout the planning process. We just wanted to make sure that the wedding celebration made everyone feel at home and special to be present. Tracy and I have been to numerous large weddings where we did not get any time with the bride or groom.

Favorite Thing About the Wedding

Honestly, each time we’ve been asked what our favorite part of our wedding day was, we always recall an instance where we shared a kiss.

When I first started my business, I heard two pieces of advice repeated over and over again in photography forums online: back up your work and get business insurance. My company was in its infancy at the time, but I figured that if enough people were saying these things, there was probably a kernel of truth to it. So in the mad dash before my first big wedding, I faxed an application for business insurance and forked over a few hundred dollars for the comfort of knowing that my gear would be protected.…

Wow you guys make the courthouse look goood! It is awesome that you were able to craft a day that matched up with your future goals. Also OMG the jumpsuit!

vegankitchendiaries

OMG, that IS a jumpsuit! I just noticed! What the HELL? It’s like this wedding is so great, I almost feel CONFUSED…

ART

hahaha I really like you

vegankitchendiaries

And I you! Off topic, but just as you predicted I snapped out of my “wedding blues” and am firmly back into the ‘THIS WEDDING WILL BE AWESOME’ camp.

ART

yay!! i got to the point today where I was just so overwhelmed and grateful (out-of-towners have started to arrive) that I don’t even care about little weird stuff. i’m actually really tense from how excited I am, it kind of hurts.

vegankitchendiaries

That’s what I like to hear!! Pretty excited for you, lady!

Caitlin_DD

Could you guys be any more adorable? And your outfits are SO on point.

halliemt

LOVE the black dress/flower crown. very inspiring!

Fiona

OMG I’m flipping out. They are like the hottest couple ever. And the black dress. And the JUMPSUIT. amazing.

vegankitchendiaries

ALSO FLIPPING OUT HERE! Over all the same things! Wow, these guys are SO DAMN COOL. And aside from the ‘coolness’, the pictures really show the tenderness between these two (mind-blowingly attractive people).
PS. RING ENVY

http://kara-tanoue.blogspot.com/ Kara T

I so love those rings! That black dress is just stunning, and everyone’s joy is just so amazing to see.

Sparkles

I just keep thinking how amazing it will be for children (or nieces/nephews) to look back on these pictures and relish how edgy and amazing this celebration looks. So much joy, so much cool black dress, such amazing flower crown. And the rings!

ART

yeah just coming here to talk about the dress like everyone else…it’s amazing.

Hayley Tuller

That is one SERIOUSLY chic bride right there. Wow. *slow clap*

sara g

Beautiful! That flower crown is divine!

JSwen

Such a beautiful couple.

Re: black dresses…. I was totally on board with this for myself until I had a dream that no one knew I was the bride and my mother and FMIL could barely hold back their “I told you so”s. Damn dreams, leading me astray! This is gorgeous!

vegankitchendiaries

Right? Because she is SOOOO the bride! :)

Gina

You guys are the hottest couple I have ever seen, ever.

Massiel Bobadilla

These two are KILLING IT!! So much awesome <3

beebee

Oh snap! Its the couple from the Vivian Chen Photography ad! I thought those were just models, freaking awesome! Perfect looks and a beautiful and simple wedding, well done!

http://www.vivianchen.com/ Viv

Yup! They’re a real couple! (And not to mention, amazingly creative and sweet people!) So happy for the feature!

Bee

OMG I think this is the most gorgeous wedding I’ve ever seen. The couple and the photos are just stunning. Wow!

Sarah E

These are some of the happiest photos of bride and groom I’ve seen.

BeeAssassin

Beautiful wedding, love the smiles all over the place! Also, high five for prioritizing financial future over a large wedding! We did/are doing the same thing (bought the house with the money we were going to use on a wedding, delayed the wedding for a year to re-save the money). It’s not the right decision for everyone, but I’m so glad we did it.

Becca

I was JUST thinking yesterday about a dark (navy, in my case) dress with a floral crown. Maybe this will give me the courage I need to make the decision. This is amazing!

http://www.moxiebrightevents.com Renee @ Moxie Bright Events

Do it! It’s amazing and you will not regret it!

Deborah

Stunningly wonderful wedding! Quick question for the amazing bride — I, too, want to have an SF City Hall wedding and reception afterwards at a TBD restaurant. With regard to City Hall, did you do a public wedding or did you rent out the space for an hour at the higher cost? I’m just wondering b/c the light is beautiful and there’s nobody in your background that doesn’t seem not part of the wedding party. Congratulations on your wedding!

http://www.vivianchen.com/ Viv

Hi Deborah! I was the photographer for their wedding. :) Tracy and Ryan had a public ceremony and it helped that it was scheduled at 10am. I find that SF City Hall is much quieter and less busy in the mornings. (And of course the light is just gorgeous then as well!)

Deborah

Thank you Viv — the quick answer is much appreciated….not only are you a wonderful answerer of questions, you are a phenomenal photog. I hate to hijack the wedding thread, but did your wedding package of 2 hours cover this or were more hours purchased?

http://www.vivianchen.com/ Viv

Aw, thanks! I’m happy to help, Deborah! Two hours covered the ceremony and portraits at CIty Hall but additional hours were added for the dinner reception they had. If you were looking for just city hall coverage, I find that my standard two hour package is generally more than enough time. :)

http://www.twitter.com/mirellahodges Mirella

Ultimate. Perfection.

http://www.sophiaspockets.wordpress.com/ AutumnE

Beautiful, simple and different. Thanks for being yourselves!

Ally

LOVE the dress, SF city hall pics and Regalito!! Exellent choices all around!

http://wishesbridal.com/ Rong Lisa

Really gorgeous wedding!

http://www.moxiebrightevents.com Renee @ Moxie Bright Events

I’m kind of obsessed with all of this: the flower crown, the black dress, the white jumpsuit, the intimate dinner party – ALL OF IT. *swoon*